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The simple answer is about 4000 years. The oldest recorded
reference was found in |
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It is not always easy to train a goat to work. It depends
on two main things, one is how much time you can put into it and the other
how quick the animal's responses are to something that is totally different
and alien to its normal way of life. The most important requirement from you
is patience, the second is time. Training is an ongoing process and must be
consistent and continuous. |
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Both sexes of goats are used and it is your personal preference. A female following her natural course of life will come in season, this usually makes her a little stroppy and difficult to handle. You may decide to mate her and let her have kids and give milk. During her pregnancy she could not be used in harness. When she kids, she will have a large udder and much of her energy will be taken in producing milk, also if the harness has breeching this will cut across the udder. A non-breeder could easily be used but you would still have the stroppiness when she was in season. The female is very strong however, although in most cases smaller than the male. The entire male can be a large animal but has many disadvantages: (a) he can be very difficult to handle; (b) he would disturb the female goats;(c) his aroma would be most unpleasant. Reasons (b) and (c) would prohibit you from any shows. The castrate is the most suitable for harness work. He is usually larger and much easier to handle and it is a wonderful use for a male goat who would normally have to be put down or else eat his head off doing nothing. Some males have been successfully castrated after serving a few years at stud and have been perfect for harness work. |
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When it comes to choosing a breed to train for harness, all goat breeds (except perhaps the Bagot) are capable of working. This includes Pygmies, English, Angoras, all the dairy breeds and cross breeds of any of them. Some of each breed take to it more easily than others but all will eventually train. Good temperament and soundness are important. Choose the goat who, for one reason or another pleases you most, e.g. a rescue goat, or a goat from your own herd, it really does not matter. |
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A goat should only be asked to pull a maximum of one and half times its own weight, so the vehicles should be as light as possible. A pack goat in good condition can carry up to 25% of its body weight if the load is well distributed. |
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When we put a vehicle to a goat there are many things to take into consideration and all are concerned with the welfare of the goat. If it is a two wheeled vehicle then the balance is important. The shafts should 'float in the tugs' so there is a minimum of weight on the goat's back. A four wheeled vehicle places no weight on the goat's back but it has the extra friction of two more wheels. The cart should be the right size for the goat. Types of vehicle vary from a little two wheel runabout to replicas of vehicles used by the horse fraternity. Harness Goat Society members get a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from constructing their own vehicles. It can be as expensive or as cheap as you want, to put a goat to harness. |
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Harness can be either webbing or leather - both have
advantages and disadvantages. Cost wise, webbing is much cheaper and cleaning
is so much easier as it can be washed. Leather looks better and is more
authentic but some goats are certainly tempted to chew at the loose ends. |
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As soon as you acquire your goat, training can begin. Start with the basics: walking on a lead. Taking it for a walk on a lead, is training. Use the commands you will be using when the goat is old enough for work. i.e. "walk on" when you move off. It is surprising how quickly it will learn. Also "whoa" when you stop. If you always do this, the goat will learn to listen to your voice. Try to always walk with your goat's shoulder level with your leg. As the goat gets older, then you can go on to other training exercises, the same as a child does at school. Get your young goat used to all the unusual and noisy things it is likely to meet on the roads or at shows. Strange dogs, traffic, bands, running and playing children, the list is endless. As the goat gets to know you, its confidence will grow and eventually it will automatically accept everything that goes on around it even if it has never seen it before. An easy way to start training to harness for the beginner
is a 'travois' which can be made by just using two broom handles, a canvas
feed bag and some baling twine. This is all that is required to construct
this valuable training aid. The Red Indians in
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Harness goat identification and movement is laid down by
the Government Agencies (e.g. DEFRA. in The most recent edition of the rules can be obtained
from a link on the DEFRA website http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/index.htm
. This reference is useful for a wide range of information e.g. approved tag
manufacturers. |
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Given the Regulations apply
to all goats, there have been some effects for harness goatkeepers that have
forced adjustments. |
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Although looking at photos is a start, it is much better to speak to people and/or visit them. Remember there is always someone in the Harness Goat Society who you can contact, including AREA REPRESENTATIVES willing to assist you in any way. Members get together in their own areas to practice and help each other to train, make harness and build carts. By becoming a member of the Harness Goat Society you will have the option of meeting other members, and asking lots of questions before you acquire either a goat, cart or harness. The Society provides a magazine which is published quarterly and contains a wide variety of articles and photographs on all aspects of goat driving. |
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Date:
15/12/11 |